All Leaving Certificate Programmes aim to provide continuity with, and progression from, Junior Certificate Programme.
Programmes leading to the award of the Leaving Certificate are of two years duration and are offered in three forms:
- 1. The Leaving Certificate (Established)
- 2. The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (L.C.V.P.)
- 3. The Leaving Certificate Applied (L.C.A.)
The Leaving Certificate (Established)
The Leaving Certificate (Established) programme offers students a broad and balanced education while allowing for some specialisation. Syllabuses are provided in a wide range of subjects. All subjects are offered at Ordinary and Higher levels. In addition, Mathematics and Irish are also offered at Foundation level.
The certificate is used for purposes of selection into further education, employment, training and higher education.
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The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (L.C.V.P.)
The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme is an intervention within the Leaving Certificate (Established). LCVP students study a minimum of five subjects (at Higher, Ordinary or Foundation levels), including Irish and two subjects from specified vocational subject groupings. They are also required to take a recognised course in a Modern European language, other than Irish or English. In addition LCVP students take three Link Modules on Enterprise Education, Preparation for Work and Work Experience.
In particular, the LCVP aims to foster in students a spirit of enterprise and initiative and to develop their interpersonal, vocational and technological skills.
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The Leaving Certificate Applied (L.C.A.)
The programme, which is of two years’ duration, has three main elements:
- Vocational Preparation
- Vocational Education
- General Education
A range of courses is provided within each of these elements. Courses consist of short self-contained modules. Work experience every Friday is a compulsory element to this programme.